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INTRODUCTION
The mud crab, Scylla serrata are large, highly sought after
coastal fisheries (Bonine et al., 2008, Brown, 1993, Lee, 1991). One of the
China has been using mud crab for at least a century, and for more than 30
years in Asian nations (C. P. Balasubramanian et al., 2016). The mud crabs
are tough, they are able to survive for a long time out of the water at lower
temperatures, making them a good species for live export to other countries
for which there has been a general trend of increased exploitation in recent
Various natural feed ingredients such as coconut meat, mud clam, and
and micronutrients, making it a valuable protein and fiber source for animal
feed (Christia & Baltar, 2023). Mud clams have been studied for their effects
diverse array of essential nutrients like proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals
2021), African land snails, and seaweeds like Ulva reticulate and Sargassum
cinctum (Hadijah et al., 2021). Studies have also explored the impact of
adding Crude Fish Oil (CFO) to feeds on fat and energy retention in mud
crabs (Muhammad et al., 2020). Furthermore, the fatty acid composition in the
flow velocity, with implications for nutrient reserves and reproduction (Sumara
growth response of mud crab (Scylla serrata) fed with coconut meat, mud
crab culture.
Objectives of the Study
The purpose of the study will be to evaluate the growth response and
survival rate of mud crab (Scylla serrata) reared in storage boxes and fed with
1. Determine which of the four (4) diets gain highest weight and carapace
2. Evaluate the survival rates of mud crab (Scylla serrata) fed with
Conceptual Framework
the relationship between the independent variables, which are the feed
sources used in feeding mud crab (coconut meat, mud clam, and squash),
and the dependent variables, which are the growth response and survival rate
practices that enhance the growth and survival of mud crabs, this research
aquaculture activities.
The study of mud crab (Scylla serrata) fattening in a storage box will be
conducted at the brackish water Fish Farm of the North Eastern Mindanao
State University – Lianga Campus. Fifteen (15) lean mud crabs (100-200
serrata reared in storage boxes will be assessed, with the crabs being fed
with trash fish, mud clam, squash, and coconut meat for 45 days, excluding
Coconut Meat A type of tropical fruit found in the Philippines used for
time.
Mud Clam A type of bivalve that is usually found in the mud area
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Portunidae
Genus: Scylla
estuaries, and shallow coastal waters (Samar et al., 2023). These crabs play
crucial roles in the ecosystem, being involved in the food chain, bioturbation
environmental factors like water temperature and tidal cycles, with foraging
2023).
critical process for growth and development, involving the shedding of the
growth rates during postmolt (PMolt) and intermolt (IMolt) stages (Darwin et
al., 2022). The timing of molting is influenced by tidal cycles, with a higher
aiding in air and water filling during molting (Ngoc et al., 2022). Additionally,
mud crabs (Ming et al., 2021). These findings highlight the vulnerability of
habitat ranges from South Africa to Japan and from Australia to Micronesia,
estuaries and mangroves, where they can be found in shallow areas below
the low tide mark, burying themselves in the mud during the day and
These crabs are known for their burrowing habits, where they bury
themselves in the mud during the day and emerge at night to forage for food.
which may help them in foraging, predator avoidance, and reproduction. They
are also known to exhibit territorial behavior, with males defending their
They are also known for their aggressive behavior, with males trapping
females under their chests and holding them with their chelipers, forming a
mating position.
attached bivalves, and small crabs In the study area, the crab's diet consisted
of bivalves (21%), detritus (12%), and gastropods (5%) (Hill, 1979). The
during July until September and inactive feeding during April until June (Paul
et al., 2018).
a process called molting or ecdysis. Unlike humans, mud crabs do not grow
continuously; instead, they must undergo molting to grow. During molting, the
crab sheds its exoskeleton to accommodate growth. The size of a mud crab is
determined by the size of its exoskeleton, and the molting process involves
GROWTH
The diet and environmental conditions also play a crucial role in the
growth and development of mud crabs. Studies have shown that factors like
salinity levels can impact the growth and survival of mud crabs, with optimal
mud crabs like Scylla olivacea, with females being significantly heavier than
males and showing different growth patterns in body weight and carapace
crab, plays a crucial role in its growth pattern. Molting is essential for the crab
to grow because it allows them to shed their old exoskeleton and develop a
new, larger one. During molting, the crab absorbs water to expand its
exoskeleton, cracks it at certain points to facilitate shedding, and then sheds
the old shell to reveal a soft body underneath (Suyono, 2020). In addition to
Suyono, 2020, The molting process is energetically demanding for mud crabs
After shedding their old exoskeleton, mud crabs remain soft and continue to
absorb water to inflate their bodies while mineralizing their new exoskeleton.
column to attract males for mating. After mating in brackish habitats, females
migrate offshore to spawn. The eggs hatch into zoeae, which then develop
The sex ratio of male to female S. serrata is typically 3:1, with 75.2%
potentially changing into a female later in life (Khaksari, Safaie, & Salarzadeh,
2022).
using wild seed stock for grow-out in Southeast Asia. Survival rates range
from 30% to 85% based on stocking density and feed under pen culture
farming systems like polyculture, fattening, and soft-shell crab farming are
on the growth stage and farming system. Maturation diets for mud crab
broodstock typically consist of fish meal, soya cake, wheat flour, and squilla,
with variations based on protein and fat content (Azra & Ikhwanuddin, 2016).
Artemia, dried shrimp (Acetes spp.), and dried mud worm (Marphysa spp.) to
rear mud crab megalopa to crablet stages (Syafaat et al., 2021). While natural
diets like trash fish, cuttlefish, and shelled prawn can be beneficial for
nutrient content and the ability to administer drugs orally (Azra & Ikhwanuddin,
2016).
The ideal water conditions for culturing Scylla serrata, or mud crab,
involve maintaining specific salinity levels for optimal growth and survival. The
ideal salinity for the growth of mangrove crabs like Scylla serrata ranges
between 10 ppt and 20 ppt, with maximum growth achieved at these levels.
brackish waters within this range (FAO, 2024). Mud crabs cultured at salinities
of 25 ppt have shown a daily growth rate of 1% with a survival rate of 50%,
while at 15 ppt, the growth rate decreases to 0.4% with a survival rate of 15%.
Salinity directly affects the life of organisms, influencing growth rates, feed
consumption, feed conversion values, and overall viability of aquatic biota like
(Weng et al., 2007). Several bacterial diseases have been reported in Scylla
has also been associated with diseases in Scylla serrata. Shell disease
syndrome and red sternum syndrome are examples of bacterial diseases that
can affect the cuticle and shell of mud crabs (Coates & Rowley, 2022).
Mud clams, like Geloina coaxans, are being explored for various
purposes. In Sri Lanka, mud clam meat is used to produce clam sauce
with specific nutritional content (Wijerathna et al., 2021). Mud clams mainly
does not negatively impact other aquatic farming activities. Additionally, mud
crabs are commonly fed shellfish like cockles, marsh clams, and mussels,
along with other feeds such as trash fish, formulated feed, squid, and natural
food sources to promote growth and health in aquaculture settings. The diet of
mud clams in subtropical mangrove forests includes fatty acids from various
Mud clams are a good source of protein, which is essential for the
growth and development of other animals. They also contain other nutrients
feeding mud clams to other animals can help maintain good water quality,
which is crucial for the health and growth of aquatic animal. Formulated feeds
and squid, which are often used to feed mud crabs, are sterilized, reducing
the risk of the spread of diseases. Mud clams and related shellfish can be a
Squash as Feeds
due to its nutritional benefits and versatility. It can serve as a meal for pigs
and provide protein and fat for laying hens. Additionally, squash plants are
easy to grow and can provide food for both humans and animals throughout
Squash holds potential as a valuable feed source for both humans and
squash genotypes with high nutritional value in terms of ether extract, crude
protein, fibers, and energy content in both whole seed meal (WSM) and
at 20% inclusion level (Robi et al., 2022). Additionally, fermented coconut pulp
in chicken feed can increase carcass weight and meat fat content while
effective (Siti et al., 2022). Furthermore, studies on giant gourami show that
aquafeed nutrition, growth coefficient, and body indices, with diets rich in
amino acids leading to improved growth (Hafrijal, et al., 2023). Coconut, with
livestock feed, offering benefits such as reduced feed costs and enhanced
Related Studies
Mud clams, specifically Polymesoda erosa, have been suggested as a
main ingredient in the diet formulation for mud crabs, such as Scylla serrata
the use of mud clams as food for Scylla serrata. The search results mainly
Score of 1046, making them an excellent addition to the diet. Protein: 16.9
grams, Net Carbohydrates: 4.1 grams, Calories: 99, Total Fat: 1.1 grams,
Dietary Fiber: 0.0 grams. Moreover, clams are rich in various essential
vitamins and minerals per serving; Iron: 14.0 mg (78% RDI), Selenium: 24.3
mcg (35% RDI), Manganese: 0.5 mg (25% RDI), Phosphorus: 169 mg (17%
RDI), Copper: 0.3 mg (17% RDI), Zinc: 1.4 mg (9% RDI), Potassium: 314 mg
(9% RDI), Calcium: 46.0 mg (5% RDI). Clams are particularly noteworthy for
The growth response of mud crab (Scylla serrata) fed with coconut
meat was assessed in a study that focused on the growth and survival of mud
found that female mud crabs performed better when fed with grated coconut,
supplemental feeds (Maria et al., 2016). Additionally, the study highlighted the
that coconut meat can be a viable feed option for enhancing the growth of
(Savithri, 2022). Another study evaluated the potential of natural feeds like
African land snail for mud crab aquaculture, showing high growth performance
research on processed wet feeds found that feeding mud crabs with chicken
other feed types. Furthermore, a study incorporating Fitoimun® into crab feed
the control group (Wanda et al., 2022). Lastly, adding Crude Fish Oil to trash
fish feed significantly affected the growth of mud crabs, with higher carapace
Experimental Area
Poblacion, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. The Brackish water Fish farm had a total
The study on the growth response and survival rate of mud crab
(Scylla serrata) will be feed with four kinds of natural foods: coconut meat,
squash, and mud clam: that nurture in storage box and will be conducted
within 45 days culture period from June-July, 2024. This includes the
preparation and installation of experimental set-up in the Fish farm area and
Surigao del Sur. The crabs will be checked for any loss of appendages to
ensure to have only a healthy crabs. The crabs will be tied to prevent any
movement behavior and place in the pails filled with brackish water and
Treatments
Treatments of the study in different diets which are the natural feeds
was replicated by 3.
Experimental Set-up
Nine (9) units of color blue containers with a volume of 20 liters will be
used. Each storage box will be covered with fine-meshed netting during the
study to prevent the escape of crabs. The experimental design will consist of
randomized manner.
Container
Mud Crab
Water
Stocking
box. After stocking, initial sampling will be follow to determine the initial
carapace length and weight measurement of the crabs. After the sampling,
the crabs will be released back to their respective plastic container with either
Treatment I, II, and III respectively throughout the duration of the study.,
They will be manually fed with trash fish, mud clam, squash, and chicken liver
twice a day at 7:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the afternoon. Mud clam will be
involve removing the crab to their storage box and weighing them using a
digital weighing scale. Additionally, a plastic ruler (in centimeters) will be used
to record the weight and measure the length increment of the crab.
1. Growth increment
a. Weight increment = W 2 - W 1
b. Length increment = L2 – L1
¿ W 2−W 1
a. Weight GR = x 100
W1
¿ L2−L1
b. Length GR = x 100
L1
Where:
Harvesting
They were secured with either straw or string to facilitate convenient handling
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